France pledges more action to fight anti-Semitism

CRETEIL, France (AP) — France's government has pledged more action to fight anti-Semitism after an attack on a couple revived worries about the rising number of incidents targeting Jews in the country.

Several hundred people demonstrated Sunday in the Paris suburb of Creteil to draw attention to what France's leading Jewish organization says is a nearly doubling of anti-Semitic incidents this year compared to 2013.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told those present that France "will defend you with all its strength," and that the fight against anti-Semitism "will be a great national cause."

Assailants forced their way into an apartment in Creteil this past week, tied up a young man and woman, demanded money and raped the woman, authorities say. The assailants allegedly talked about attacking Jews.